Herbert Smith rockets ahead on half-year figures

Herbert Smith has been the year’s outstanding performer so far as UK firms begin to take stock at the half-year stage.

Herbert Smith’s finance department has driven a 25 per cent increase in the firm’s turnover, compared with the first six months of last year.

“Finance has been the best performer, growing by more than 25 per cent. Paris has done particularly well and Dubai has already achieved its full-year target and it’s only half-way through,” said a firm spokesperson.

Allen & Overy was the first firm officially to reveal its figures on Friday (2 November). Turnover was up by 18 per cent to £422m. Clifford Chance has yet to do its sums, but expects similar results after a strong first four months of the year and a fantastic October. Linklaters is expecting a 20 per cent rise.

The mid-market has performed well, with Nabarro up by 21 per cent, Berwin Leighton Paisner up by at least 15 per cent and CMS Cameron McKenna boosting turnover by 21 per cent to £103m.

Ashurst continued last year’s growth trajectory, boasting a 25 per cent increase on fee income from £117m to £147m.

Norton Rose‘s half-year figures are up by 23 per cent on this time last year.